What happened
President Donald Trump suggested that Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky should appoint a new negotiator for peace talks with Russia. This recommendation came after Zelensky stated that Trump is on the "wrong side of history" regarding Washington's approach to peace talks.
Trump expressed his opinion that Zelensky "doesn't know what he's talking about" and believes that Zelensky should have settled the war a long time ago. He also stated that if Zelensky had listened to him, he would have made a better deal and saved lives.
The president defended his decision to strike a diesel deal with Russia and ease sanctions on Moscow, despite criticism that he is siding with Russian President Vladimir Putin over Zelensky. Trump claimed that he is trying to get a hostage and that Russia's lack of involvement in Iran is a positive development.
Trump also downplayed speculation of a trilateral meeting between him, Putin, and Chinese President Xi Jinping, but expressed his willingness to do "anything" to end the war in Ukraine, with or without Zelensky's involvement.
